Bengals Can Clinch with a Win; So Could Vikings

Before the Cincinnati Bengals played the Pittsburgh Steelers for the second time, I wrote that the game between the two was the biggest game of the year. At the time, it was. A win against the Steelers would have given the Bengals a 5-0 record in their division, with one game, against the Cleveland Browns, left. With only the Browns left, as a Bengals fan, you had to feel pretty good about your chances of sweeping the division. After that, all the Bengals would have to do is stay at least a game ahead of both the Steelers and Baltimore Ravens and the division is theirs. The worst that the Bengals could give is to allow one, or both teams to tie them with overall records, and the Bengals would still be division champions.


It is now Week 14; the Bengals beat the Steelers and Browns and for the first time in franchise history, swept their division. After a few weeks, I’ve come to realize that the Pittsburgh game wasn’t the biggest game of the year. It’s still a very important division game, but not as important as this one. This year, the Bengals are fighting for one of the top seeds in the AFC, looking to receive a first round bye. The Bengals are out for respect from the league, the other teams and the players. All year, this team has been preaching the fact that they’re better than people give them credit. To this point, they have been.

A fluke loss to the Denver Broncos, two fumbles by Andre Caldwell against the Oakland Raiders, and a loss to the Houston Texans in which this team did not show up to play, have kept the Bengals from being undefeated this year. After a 9-3 start, the time has come for the Bengals to play with the big boys in the NFL. When I say big boys, I am talking about the Minnesota Vikings, the Indianapolis Colts, the San Diego Chargers and the New Orleans Saints. Combined, the four teams have 43 wins, and five losses.

Now, waiting in the wings for this Sunday’s match up is the Minnesota Vikings. Perhaps the Bengals biggest regular season game of the year. This Sunday, Brett Favre will go up against the very first team he ever faced in the Cincinnati Bengals. Favre, who has led the Minnesota Vikings to a 10-2 record this year, can help his team cling the NFC North Division with a win against the "Cardiac Cats". The same can be said for the Bengals, as a win would give them their first AFC North Division title since 2005. There is more to this game than just the idea of clinching either team’s respective division, it is about credibility. This game is about the Vikings beating the team they are supposed to beat in the Bengals. It's about the Bengals stepping in, putting their hand up and saying, “No, not today. You Sir Mr. Favre and you Adrian Peterson will not run over us today”.

The Bengals games so far this season have been against teams with a combined 45-63 record. When the remaining four games added, that record goes to 73-83 through 12 games. So far, the Bengals have only played four teams that STILL have winning records. They lost to the Broncos and beat the Green Bay Packers. Still remaining are the Vikings and the Chargers. The last game of the season is against the New York Jets, and if they can rattle off a couple wins before then, they’ll play the Bengals with a winning percentage over .500.

Back to the main point, the Bengals biggest game of the year is this Sunday, against the Minnesota Vikings. If the Bengals want to be taken seriously, and be considered a Super Bowl contender, then a win against the third best team in the league is needed. If the Bengals can shut down Adrian Peterson like they’ve shut down other backs this season, then they’ll be able to shut down LaDainian Tomlinson. If the Bengals’ front four can put pressure on Brett Favre to allow the defensive backs to make plays, then look for the same to happen against Philip Rivers. If the Bengals can rise up to the challenge and shut down the Vikings and follow that up with a big win in San Diego, the Bengals will walk away from the regular season as the #2 seed in the playoffs. In doing so, they will receive a first round bye and an extra week to allow their players to heal up and get healthy.

If the Bengals do not beat the Vikings this week, then all Hell may break lose in Cincinnati. One loss could easily turn into four, and a 9-3 start would be ruined by a 9-7 finish. Looking toward 2010, the piled up losses and disappointment of 2009 could cause another dismal 4-11-1 season, even with Carson Palmer as the starting quarter back. Let’s hope that the Bengals will get it right this week, because I don’t want to live through another season like 2008, or 2002 for that matter when the Bengals were 2-14.

The Easy

All I Want for Christmas is the Playoffs in Cincinnati

Do you remember the first time your parents told you about Santa Claus?  No?  Ok, how about the first time you sat on his lap and he asked you, "What do you want for Christmas?"  You do?  Good, now keep that memory in your head.  No, don't place it on the back burner, put it on the small front burner and continue with me.  Do you remember how you felt on Christmas morning, and you saw a present from Santa, and it was exactly what you wanted?  Of course you remember, what child doesn't.  The child that was on Santa's naughty list doesn't remember, but he doesn't count.

Let's fast forward to the mid to late 1990's and early 2000's.  Let's try 1991 to 2004 to be exact.  We'll even add in 2006 to 2008 for those of you who just started to become fans.  You're a Cincinnati Bengals fan, and you just want a winning team.  For some reason, you can't ever get one.  Year in, and year out, the "Bungals" continue to disappoint you.    From David Klingler to Jeff Blake.  From Jeff Blake to Neil O'Donnell and then back to Jeff Blake.  Then Cincinnati Bengals owner Mike Brown said, "Hey, let's follow that trio with Akili Smith that lineup."  No Mike, how about we don't do that.  Well, Mike listened, and after a year, he Bengals fans Jon Kitna.  Now, I have no personal vendetta against Kitna, but no offense Jon, you're not cut out to be a Quarterback in Cincinnati.  It's those small hands of yours that bothers me. 

Don't worry though Bengals fans, because the Messiah, Carson Palmer, was on his way.  After being drafted by the Bengals in 2003, Palmer sat out the entire year as the Bengals followed a 2-14 2002 with an 8-8 record under first year Head Coach Marvin Lewis.  Everything changed in 2005 when the Bengals went to the playoffs for the first time since winning their division in 1990.  That is, until Kimo Von Dream Killer crushed any hopes of the Bengals winning the Super Bowl that year. 

Stay with me young grasshoppers, I know it's been a long flight, but I promise, we're getting close to the climax.  In '06, Palmer came back, and the Bengals finished with an 8-8 record for the 3rd time in four years.  But that was ok, because Palmer was getting his feet wet again, and in '07, the Bengals would surely be in cruise control all year into the Playoffs.  Nope, you're wrong.  A 7-9 record in '07, and a dismal 4-11-1 record in 2008, and voila, you have the Cincinnati Bengals at their finest.  Breaking hearts, and losing games. 

Like I said grasshopper, we're close to the end, as now, we're to the present in 2009, and the 8-3 Bengals are leading the AFC North Division by two games over both the Baltimore Ravens and the Pittsburgh Steelers.  Oh, and on a side note, we beat both of them, TWICE!  By the looks of their remaining schedule, if the Bengals were to lose any more games, it would probably happen in Minnesota against the Minnesota Vikings, possibly San Diego against the San Diego Chargers, and you can never count out those "J-E-T-S, NEW YORK JETS!"

Let's tie this all together now young grasshopper.  The Bengals sucked, for a lack of a better term, from 1991 to 2004.  In 2005, we were treated to Air Palmer, the Chad Johnson Show, and criminal activity.  From 2006 to 2008, the Bengals, again, sucked.  Now, in 2009, the Jungle's rockin', seats are selling out (barely), and the Bengals are winning again. 

So, what do I want for Christmas?  Well Santa, I'd sure love a Bengals team that doesn't blow it down the stretch, Lord knows the Cincinnati Reds are great at that.  I'm tired of hearing about the Shittsburgh Squeelers, I mean Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens.  I want a Bengals team to beat the teams they're supposed to beat (Detroit Lions, Kansas City Chiefs, and maybe the Jets).  The Bengals need to compete with the Vikings and the Chargers.  Definetely Sand Diego because if the Bengals win that game, count them in for a first round bye. 

If you're listening Santa, and I know you are, I want the playoffs in Cincinnati, and this time, leave out the image of Number 9 sprawled out on the ground grabbing his knee.  And while you're at it, sell out the Chiefs game, because I'm sick of hearing about the possibility of a blackout.  If you want to make this Christmas better for all those that lost their jobs, then you'll give the Bengals a playoff spot, more wins, and a spot in the AFC Championship Game.  I don't mind watching the Bengals against the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC Championship Game, whether or not they win, at least they made it there.  Don't worry, I'll be calling for help next year.  It might be for the Reds though, because I'm not sure where the light at the end of the tunnel is. 

The Easy

P.S. Don't worry Santa, I'll leave milk and cookies.

Bengals Receive Extension; More AFC North News

Cincinnati Bengals:
The Cincinnati Bengals announced today that they have received a 24 hour extension to sell out the remaining tickets for Sunday's game against the Detroit Lions.  The extension will end tomorrow at 1 o'clock in the afternoon.  If the Bengals fail to sell the 3,500 tickets left, their 50-game regular-season and post season sellout streak will come to an end.  Taking a look at the big picture, the game probably won't sellout.  Why?  The Local Fox affiliate in Cincinnati, Fox 19, only receives two chances a year to broadcast Bengals games.  This year, the Chicago Bears were the first, and now, the Detroit Lions.  Both of them are at home, and I don't see any T.V. show producing more fan fare and couch potatoes in Cincinnati than the Bengals.  Either Fox 19 will step up and buy the tickets, or Chad Ocho Cinco will buy them and give them away.  Wait, isn't he broke?  Oh well, if you can't be at Paul Brown Stadium for the action, there's no better place than from the confines of your own home, settled in the middle of the dent in the couch. 

Just remember though, the Bengals must sell out.  Failure to do so will show ESPN that even in the thick of a playoff hunt, fans don't want to pay outrageous prices for seats, food, and drinks.  Bengals Owner Mike Brown should be used to hearing this, as Cincinati sports talk show host Lance McAlister preaches this week in and week out.  In addition, it'll show Mike Brown that not everyone has money like he does, and the economy is actually very rough on most people, and at times, unless they're free, Bengals tickets will be passed over by your blue collar fans.

Cleveland Browns:
The Cleveland Browns face off against the San Diego Chargers this week, and I'm not seeing an upset in the horizon, but a blow out.  The Browns are a team that will break your heart play after play, game after game, year after year.  Trust me, I know one when I see one, I've been a fan of one since I was a kid.  This is not the team to upset an 8-3 Chargers team, but rather a team that will lose in dramatic fashion to the Bolts.  When I say dramatic fashion I mean Brady Quinn going 8 of 39 for 65 yards and 3 Interceptions dramatic fashion.  I think this team might be worse than last years Detroit Lions and St. Louis Rams.  There's that possibility that they're the worst team in football, and I wouldn't doubt it.  If there's one thing I've learned while growing up in Cincinnati, it would be this: If it's Brown, flush it down!

Baltimore Ravens:
 This week's matchup of the Baltimore Ravens and the Green Bay Packers recieves my AFC North Game of the Week Award.  The Ravens have more at stake than the Packers do, considering their 6-5 record ties them for 2nd place in the AFC North Division with the Pittsburgh Steelers.  The Ravens do own the tie breaker at the moment, but their week 16 matchup could decide who wins the Wild Card.  If Baltimore loses, their 6-6 and no shot of the playoffs.  One more loss for the Steelers and they're out.  Expect the Ravens to try and get up early, if that doesn't work, you'll see Joe Flacco taking the ball away from Ray Rice, Willis McGahee and Le'Ron McClain and putting it in the air, which isn't always a good thing.

Pittsburgh Steelers:
The Pittsburgh Steelers matchup with the Oakland Raiders this week is my AFC North Trap Game of the Week.  You saw what happened to the Bengals in Oakland, now watch out, because they could do it to the Steelers, and in a more humiliating way.  The Raiders will definetely be coming into this game with a chip on their shoulder, knowing they can beat the Black and Gold, and beating the reigning Super Bowl Champion Steelers sounds better than beating the 7-2 Cincinnati Bengals.  I expect the Steelers to win, but not until late in the fourth quarter.  Both teams execute a rough and hard hitting style of play, and it'll take more than a miracle for the Raiders to beat the Steelers, but Quarterback Bruce Gradkowski may be the miracle Oakland's been looking for.

The Easy

Review and Preview, Bengals Keep on Rolling

The Cincinnati Bengals have hit gold.  The entire team is made up of guys who went undrafted, guys who were run out of their former city, or guys who haven't made a name for themselves yet.  An entire crew of players that were outplayed, outwitted, and outcast to another city, another team.  Guys like Tank Johnson, Cedric Benson, Laveranues Coles, and yes, Larry Johnson, although just for the first game so far.  As I said before, and I shall say again, whether or not this marriage works out, the addition of Larry Johnson was not only beneficial to Larry, but to Cedric Benson, Bernard Scott, and the rest of the Cincinnati Bengals.

The offensive line for the Bengals is not nearly as good as it will be in the future.  This is a very young, and very talented line that will continue to grow and get better the more snaps they perform together.  The entire team is young and talented, and although the O-line is not exceptional, but rather, the entire group of 300 plus pounders are playing exceptionally well.  There will be bumps in the road the rest of the season, and seasons to follow for that matter.  But what is important, is that after a 4-11-1 season, and a 8-3 start to a season that, according to ESPN, was doomed from the first OchoCinco tweet of the offseason, this team isn't letting any player, or team for that matter decide their fate for them. 

The line is creating the same holes that Ced ran through for nine games, and now, we see that it's not just Ced  who can run the ball behind this line, but Bernard "Great" Scott and Larry Johnson can too.  We see, that through two games, Scott has racked up over 200 yeards rushing, and Larry taking the load against Cleveland, rushing for 107 yards on 22 carries.  The addition of Johnson, and the health of Ced will greatly increase the Jungle's chances of witnessing a playoff game with a better outcome than the 2005 debacle. 

Cedric can do it all, and we've seen that from him through nine games.  Bernard is our kick-off specialist, while resembling a younger Chris Johnson in doing so.  Add a fullback/halfback hybrid in Brian Leonard, who can pass protect on 3rd down and provide Carson Palmer with a receiving option coming out of the back field, and you have three great options of running backs to throw out there on Sundays.  But wait, there's more, WAY more.  The Bengals were able to sign, at a pro rated deal for half the season, former Pro Bowl running back Larry Johnson, who in 2005 ran 336 times for 1,750 yards, a 5.2 yards per carry with 20 Touchdowns.  Add 33 catches for 343 yards, a 10.4 average with one touchdown, and you have a season that can't be topped...but he did.  In 2006, the year he set the NFL carries record, Johnson ran 416 times, for 1,789 yards, and 17 touchdowns along with 41 catches for 410 yards, a 10 yard average and two touchdowns.  Two great seasons, one troubled back who wasn't used the proper way in a city in which their NFL team is sinker faster than the 2008 Detroit Lions, and you have Larry Johnson in Cincinnati. 

Larry is able to plow through defenders and leave them lying on the ground crying trainer, while using the Pittsburgh Steeler-Baltimore Raven "Stuff it Down your Throat" theory that I hate.  But I'll admit when I'm wrong, and while I won't say I like it, i will say it's worked. 

As for Sunday at PBS with Detroit coming to town?  The sellout streak is in jeopardy, which doesn't surprise me, and shouldn't surprise you at all either.  Why?  It's Detroit.  I'm surprised fans wanted to go watch the Cleveland Browns come to town and lose, but, again, I was wrong.  After Detroit, the Kansas City Chiefs come to town, and that game as well will be in jeopardy of a sellout, being as how the Chiefs are quite a lackluster team.  Cedric Benson will play, while Bernard "Great" Scott might not after suffering that turf toe injury early in the second half sunday, leaving the Bengals with a backfield shaped of Ced, Larry, and Leonard.  To qoute the Ocho, Chad OchoCinco that is, and end this on a good note, I will leave you with one final word. 

This is The Easy

FROM TWITTER:

"@OGOchoCinco: The baby has been kissed, goodnight and may you all sleep with angels! Zzzzzzzzzzz"

Bengals keep winning; Owner keeps rolling

Very interesting is the fact that the first place AFC North Cincinnati Bengals are 6-2, and so far 4-0 in the division.  Next Sunday's game against the Pittsburgh Steelers is the most important game of the year.  If the Bengals win in the Steel City, we're 5-0 in the division, and will have swept the season series with not only the Steelers, but the Baltimore Ravens also.  It's worth noting that last year, the Bengals went 4-11-1, and the Ravens and Steelers faced off  in the AFC Championship game.  The Bengals are winning, and are two games away from sweeping their division. The last time the Bengals were 6-2? Try 1988, when they went to the Super Bowl.  The last time the Bengals swept their division?  Never.  Since their inception into the NFL in 1968, the Cincinnati Bengals have never swept their division.  This year sounds like and looks like a good year to change that. 

The sad part?  The economy combined with the outrages prices at Paul Brown Stadium, fans either can't afford to go to the games, or don't want to spend that much money.  All the while Cincinnati Bengals Owner Mike Brown is rolling in his money while others struggle.  The way it seems, Brown doesn't care about the fans and never has.  That's gotta change.  Correct that, that's GOING to change.  If he wants to look better to the Bengals Faithful, Brown has to change the way he's running not only the football team, but the ticket office also.  Before the season started, a large number of season ticket holders had to sell their tickets or not purchase them, because along with the economy, it wasn't affordable.  With the Bengals pushing for a playoff run reminiscent of the 2005 season, most fans should be buying tickets like crazy.  But they aren't.  Thus, we've had to settle for a few close blackouts, only to be saved by the likes of Kroger, Chad OchoCinco and Motorolla.  Don't expect to see either of the last three games on tv, as frugal fans don't want to see the Detroit Lions, Cleveland Browns or the Kansas City Chiefs. 

What should be done?  Owner Mike Brown should get the fans back.  Fans in Cincinnati loath the owner, and what better way to get the fans storming into PBS with second thoughts about Mike Brown than by giving the season tickets back to the former season ticket holders.  Whether they left because of last year's debacle, or because of the recession, the fans still watch their Bengals, and should be compensated.  I'm not saying let the fans buy the tickets back at half price, I'm saying that for Mike Brown to gain a little bit of trust back from the fans, he needs to give back the season tickets to the former season ticket holders.  This will save us from not only blackouts, but also save our Cincinnati Bengals from playing in front of a weak crowd when they are winning. 

It is our job as fans to fill the seats, winning or losing, but it's Mike Brown's job to make sure we never leave.  Well Mikey, we left, and if you want us back, YOU have to come crawling back.  You have to show us support and dedication like we showed you.  It's a two way street.  We met in the middle for years, but you were no where to be found.  Now it's time for us as fans, and you as the Owner of the Cincinnati Bengals to meet in the middle, and root, cheer, and watch our Bengals to a Super Bowl. 

The Easy